Pride of the Sunshine ready to rock London

Sunday

Jul 22, 2012 at 5:02 PM

The Pride of the Sunshine, as the UF band is called, is the only U.S. marching band invited to perform at the Summer Olympics in London. Band members were responsible for paying about $4,000 per person out of pocket or conducting fundraising efforts.

By Nathan CrabbeStaff writer

University of Florida junior Freddy Masterson slogged through two summer jobs to pay his costs on the Gator marching band's trip to the Olympics.

Masterson, a marketing major who plays trombone, didn't mind doing so for the once-in-a-lifetime experience — and even ended up enjoying his job as a basketball referee.

“I've never had so much fun getting yelled at,” he said.

The Pride of the Sunshine, as the UF band is called, is the only U.S. marching band invited to perform at the Summer Olympics in London. Band members were responsible for paying about $4,000 per person out of pocket or conducting fundraising efforts.

More than 230 band members and 15 staff members are leaving today for the eight-day trip. Marching band director Jay Watkins said the Gator athletic program's success provided visibility for the band that led to its invitation to perform at the Olympics.

“We're uniquely positioned to represent the university, the state of Florida and the United States on the largest international athletic stage,” he said.

The band on Sunday held its last campus practice of a set list that includes songs by British musicians, from classic rock bands such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones to contemporary performers such as Adele and One Direction. Band members will be performing at Olympic venues and well-known London sites such as Victoria Park. They'll fittingly be playing Queen's “Bicycle Race” at a cycling medal event.

A surprise supporter showed up Sunday afternoon to cheer on the Pride of the Sunshine: Florida Gators' head coach Will Muschamp. The coach wished the band members well on their upcoming trip, and made them a promise: You were better than we were last year; we'll try to do better this year.

The costs of the trip — estimated to total about $1 million — and logistics of transporting instruments were challenges to participating. The band received about $100,000 from the UF provost's office and $25,000 from the University Athletic Association to defray those costs. Mapex Drums paid for percussion instruments to be delivered to London, but other instruments need to be checked as extra bags of luggage.

“Unfortunately the costs became prohibitive for some of the students,” Watkins said.

About two-thirds of the band was able to raise the required money. Sousaphone player Rene Mark was among the band members who turned to Gofundme.com, an online fundraising site. Between the site, graduation gifts and other contributions, she raised $3,300.

Mark actually graduated in the spring with a degree in recreation, parks and tourism. The Olympic invitation was extended while she was a student, so she still was allowed to go. The commitment complicated her job search, but she says she's sure she made the right call.

“To have the opportunity to be with all my friends, to be able to make music with them abroad and go to the Olympics — totally worth it,” she said.

The band will be performing in support of the U.S. Embassy — the deputy chief of mission there, Barbara Jean Stephenson, is a three-time UF grad — and at an event before the opening ceremony. Students also will have the opportunity to do sightseeing, including trips to Stonehenge and the Warner Brothers studios where the Harry Potter movies were filmed.

“We've built what should be a great trip for the students, as well as a trip that's going to really represent the university and the band in a very positive light,” Watkins said.

Contact staff reporter Nathan Crabbe at 338-3176 or nathan.crabbe@gvillesun.com. For more stories on the University of Florida, visit www.thecampussun.com.